I may be a little late to the Nexus 4 party, but after finally having had a good month using the device on T-Mobile's network, I thought I'd share some of my thoughts on the smartphone as a regular iPhone 5 user on AT&T. Is the Nexus 4 still one of the best smartphones around? Yes. Is it the best Android smartphone around? In my opinion, yes. Did I find it appealing enough to switch from the iPhone 5? Nope.
Bear in mind this review won't focus on the technical capabilities of the Nexus 4, or the strengths or weaknesses of T-Mobile's network, as there are plenty of other in-depth articles out there on the subjects. So without further ado, here's my take on the Google-branded LG Nexus 4.
What the phone packs
The Nexus 4 model I was given to test out is the 8GB variant, available for $299.99 from Google Play. Google also offers a Nexus 4 with 16GB internal memory for $349.99, but other than the different storage options, the two models are identical. The Nexus 4 comes with a 4.7-inch Corning Gorilla Glass 2 display that puts out 320 pixels per inch (ppi) at a resolution of 1280X768. Underneath the hood, the Nexus 4 sports a 1.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro, 2GB RAM, NFC, and a 2,100mAh lithium polymer battery. Battery life is acceptable, and I rarely ever needed to charge my Nexus 4 more than once during the day unless I decided to use resource-heavy apps like Netflix. The device does charge fast enough, and Google even has a nifty wireless charging orb available for purchase.
The cameras are decent, although if you want a better high-profile Android camera smartphone, take a look at the Sony Xperia Z or Samsung's Galaxy S or Note series. Nothing to really write home about here: the rear shooter takes stills at 8 megapixels and records video at 1080p, while the 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera records in 720p.
A sample photo taken with the Nexus 4:
You can also head over here to view a Nexus 4 video test.
One of the phone's greatest assets is the fact that it comes free of any contracts (when purchased from Google). The handset, for the low prices listed above, comes unlocked and can work on any HSPA+ network such as T-Mobile or AT&T. Sadly, however, the Nexus 4 does lack LTE, which many cite as a potential deal breaker. In my surfing experience, however, I noticed very little lag when compared to the LTE network my iPhone 5 is on. Unless LTE is an absolute must-have, this is a feature that I believe most can live without, at least for now. When LTE is far more readily available by the end of the year, that could possibly change.
The Nexus 4 I received came with Android 4.2 right out of the box, and runs Android 4.2.2 after a quick update. This is one of the major advantages of having a Google-branded device - you receive the latest versions of Android as soon as Google is done with them. Most non-Google-sanctioned smartphones take months to receive an Android update thanks to manufacturer and carrier roadblocks. Android 4.2.2, especially without all the usual manufacturer and carrier bloatware, is a pleasure to use, but more on that later.
Before we move on, however, there is one gripe I had with the Nexus 4. As somebody who uses his smartphone a lot to play music, I found the audio levels on the Nexus 4 lacking when compared to my iPhone 5, especially the external speakers. It's simply too soft to be of any real use, and audiophiles should definitely look into another handset if audio is that important.
Design
How does the Nexus 4 look and feel? Solid, by all standards. The handset features a slick, black minimalist design. There are only two buttons on the whole device, one for power and another for volume. LG and Google have done away with the home button, instead leaving that up to the touchscreen to provide. The smartphone is encased in plastic, meaning it won't have the sleek metallic feel of an iPhone 5 or HTC One, but don't get me wrong, it's still far better than the construction of a Galaxy S3. The handset certainly doesn't feel cheap, despite its price tag, and also comes with a micro USB slot and 3.5mm audio headphone jack.
In a previous review, I found the Galaxy S3, with its 4.8-inch screen, slightly too big for my taste. Interestingly enough, the Nexus 4, with a 4.7-inch screen, seems leaps and bounds better. While I still prefer the more comfortable 4-inch iPhone, the Nexus 4's size never really hindered my experience. It fits in pockets, weighs in at a completely manageable 139 grams, and doesn't require two hands to operate optimally. Of course, the best way for an interested buyer to figure out whether the Nexus 4 is the right size for him or her is to simply head over to a T-Mobile retail store to try one out.
Having the latest Android
This, alongside the fact the smartphone is incredibly cheap and unlocked with no contracts attached, might be considered the high point of the Nexus 4. The internal specs are impressive, sure, but the new 2013 crop of smartphones promises to make the Nexus 4's hardware look outdated within a few months. It's the Nexus 4's software that really makes it stand out.
To put it simply, using a barebones Google Android version without any bloatware is a blast. Like many, I have a lot invested in Google's services, and Google offers an app for just about all of them. Placing widgets and customizing each of the operating system's pages is a cinch, and in the end proves to be more user-oriented than Apple's rigid iOS. Of course, the Android vs. iOS debate is eternal, and users will have to decide for themselves which one is more comfortable for them, but make no mistake - Android on the Nexus 4 is easy, smooth, and just plain clean.
You can check out many of the new features in Android 4.2 here. Highlights include Google Now and Project Butter. Photosphere, one of the latest additions to the Android OS, comes off as lackluster.
Conclusion
There aren't many (if any) unlocked smartphones that can beat the Nexus 4 in its price range. For its price, the handset offers specs that can handle anything smartphone-related, all while keeping users on the cusp of the latest Android versions. It's been my favorite Android handset to use, but at the end of the day, I always found myself using my iPhone 5 more. Something about the iPhone 5's screen (which i found to be brighter and more vibrant), its metallic feel, and the fact that I rather enjoy using Apple's iOS always drew me back - but that won't apply to everybody. There may be plenty of high-profile Android handsets with LTE such as the Galaxy S4 or HTC One hitting retail stores' shelves, but the Nexus 4 still deserves a look at, especially when considering its price.
If you have had a chance to use a Nexus 4, share your thoughts on the device in the comments section below.
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